Statement by Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, on the Confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court

“We applaud Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation as the newest associate justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. Her historic appointment is an inspiration to all Americans, and we join with millions of women and men across the country in celebrating the confirmation of the first Hispanic woman to the Supreme Court.

“Judge Sotomayor is a distinguished and accomplished judge with a long record of carefully considering the cases and facts before her, following the law, and respecting precedent. During her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Judge Sotomayor reiterated that she recognizes a constitutional right to privacy.

“Judge Sotomayor brings a rich, diverse perspective and vast experience to the Supreme Court. She has served as a prosecutor and corporate litigator, a federal trial judge on a U.S. District Court, and an appellate judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as on the board of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund.

“She has demonstrated a commitment to equal justice under the law, and fair-mindedness to the impact of the court’s decisions on all Americans. Judge Sotomayor will be a fine addition to the highest court in the land."

Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 850 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.